SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - England's beaten World Cup squad leave South Africa

Record ID: 452161

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - England's beaten World Cup squad leave South Africa
  • Date: 24th June 2010
  • Summary: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (JUNE 28,2010) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) VARIOUS OF BUS ARRIVING VARIOUS OF PLAYERS ALIGHTING FROM BUS COACH FABIO CAPELLO WALKING THROUGH TERMINAL ARMED GUARD WAYNE ROONEY WALKING THROUGH VARIOUS OF PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKING PICTURES EXTERIOR OF AIRPORT
  • Embargoed: 9th July 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVADWU6LWKH9E38HRR7N9DCZMX2E
  • Story Text: The England World Cup squad left Johannesburg on Monday (June 28), a day after losing to Germany.
    The distance between England and success at this World Cup was a lot further than the length of Frank Lampard's over-the-line but not given "goal" in their humiliating 4-1 defeat to Germany on Sunday (June 27).
    England, trumpeted back home as they are every four years as real contenders to win the title, return in humiliation after slumping to their record defeat in the finals with very few excuses for a campaign that looked good for all of four minutes.
    When Steven Gerrard scored in their first Group C match against the United States on June 12, it seemed perhaps that for once the pre-tournament hype which saw England installed among the favourites by London bookmakers was about to be vindicated.
    Unbelievable as it seems, goalkeeper Robert Green's infamous fumble when he allowed a shot from American Clint Dempsey to bounce out of his reach and into his goal, appears to have been the turning point for England -- even though it happened in the first half of their first match.
    England were never the same team again after that, mentally insecure about losing to the U.S., they played abysmally in the second half, were even worse for 90 minutes in their 0-0 draw against Algeria and stumbled back to see off Slovenia 1-0 to qualify in second place from their group.
    At no time did they ever look comfortable, or like World Cup contenders.
    They appeared afraid of losing rather than up for winning and paid the ultimate price on Sunday against Germany with their campaign reaching its nadir at the Free State Stadium.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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